The ‘KJM/Manchetts’ Fen Tigers will get their 2018 season under way at the fourth time of asking when they host the Stoke ‘AR Richards’ Potters this Saturday evening (7.30pm start) under the West Row lights!

Although the Fen Tigers haven’t managed a meeting themselves yet, the team have been getting plenty of guest bookings. Last Saturday Danny Ayres and Josh Bailey were both at Eastbourne and Jordan Jenkins was at Stoke with Birmingham whilst all the riders have been getting track time wherever possible.

The club also had five representatives in the British U21 Semi Final at Eastbourne recently and are now raring to race in front of their own support. The Stoke side come to Mildenhall with a solid top end of Max Clegg, Rob Shuttleworth and Tony Atkin and will provide a stern opening test as Kevin Jolly is fully aware, he said “Stoke will be no pushovers and are led by one of the League’s top men in Max Clegg! He has excellent back up from Tony Atkin and Rob Shuttleworth and of course they are managed by that wily old fox and great friend of Mildenhall Speedway, Malcolm Vasey. We certainly will not be taking anything for granted on Saturday night, but I know the lads are bursting to put on a real performance so let’s look forward to a special evening under lights!

The lads have been getting in practise wherever possible and some have already had guest bookings and met with plenty of success on their travels, which can only be good for us when we visit. There is a real feel good feeling around the club as we approach this season and a good win will be the perfect way to get started”

This Sunday (22nd April at 2pm) all roads lead to the Mildenhall Stadium in West Row, as Mildenhall host a testimonial meeting for one of the sports true gentleman.

Jon ‘Armo’ Armstrong epitomises everything that is good about the sport of speedway. An exciting hard but fair rider who respects his opponents, cares about the sport he loves, and willingly shares his knowledge and experience with those in need. With a career that spans in advance of 25 years and is still going strong his list of clubs reads like a who’s who of speedway teams.

Starting at Belle Vue in 1992, Armo’s career has seen him ride for Coventry, Sheffield, Buxton, Swindon, Peterborough, Stoke, Newport, Birmingham, Boston, Weymouth, Dudley and of course Mildenhall, the club he calls home!

It is no surpise that the field assembled is of a high quality and includes the likes of Ipswich heat leader Rory Schlein and Berwick’s Kevin Doolan. It is also no surprise that the field has a strong Mildenhall feel with current ‘KJM/Manchetts’ Fen Tigers Danny Ayres and Jordan Jenkins taking their place alongside ex Fen Tigers favourites Danny Halsey, Alfie Bowtell, Stefan Nielsen, Connor Mountain, Ben Hopwood and of course Armo himself!

There will also be Junior racing throughout the afternoon, with many potential starts of the future racing under the Young Lions banner.

In typical understated style Jon was keen to thank those that have helped him put this special day together rather than focus on himself, he said “It is incredible to think that this special day for my family and myself is nearly upon us. There are so many people I wish to thank, the Mildenhall Management for their help in getting me a testimonial meeting and for staging it at Mildenhall, the place I call home. My wonderful testimonial committee who have worked so hard to put everything in place, all the people who have kindly sponsored the event, and of course the riders who have agreed to come and entertain everyone. But most of all I must thank my family for putting up with all the ups and downs a speedway suffers over a career and giving me unconditional support.

When I look back over the years I feel very lucky to have been part of such a wonderful sport, and have no intention of retiring just yet, I am enjoying a new lease of life this season.

I sincerely hope everyone has a wonderful afternoon on Sunday and although I won’t be able to thank everyone in person for coming, you should know how very grateful I am to you all”

After a wet start to April has seen both the opening home fixtures for the ‘KJM/Manchetts’ Fen Tigers called off, everyone involved with the club is hoping that finally the season can get underway as the Fen Tigers ‘Young Guns’ welcome the Plymouth ‘Devils’ to West Row.

Five of the seven did get some invaluable track time in at a wet British U21 semi final at Arlington last Saturday with new number one Josh Bailey and teenage star Drew Kemp both qualifying for the final at Berwick. Jordan Jenkins, Ryan Kinsley and Matt Marson all put in commendable performances at Eastbourne with Jenkins just missing out on the final.

The Plymouth ‘Devils’ arrive at Mildenhall led by two ex-Fen Tigers Adam Roynon and James Cockle and 2012 Fen Tiger Ryan Terry Daley. Missing from their line up will be teenage starlet Henry Atkins and the ‘Devils’ will operate rider replacement in his absence.

Promoter Kevin Jolly was looking forward to finally getting the season underway, he said “The last couple of weeks haven’t helped us but we are not the only ones, everyone is in the same boat. We will now just make sure when we do race we will make it bigger and better. I have been impressed by what I have seen from our boys, I think there is so much potential in this team and they are capable of far more than what their averages are now. There is a hunger and desire that I’ve not heard in a team for a long while.

I am sure our supporters cannot wait to see our 2018 ‘KJM/Manchetts’ Fen Tigers race and we are keeping everything crossed that this will happen on Sunday!’

After missing out last Sunday when the ‘Fen Fours’ fell foul to the Easter Weekend washout, the ‘KJM/Manchetts’ Fen Tigers are all set for a busy weekend.

Saturday evening sees five of the 2018 Fen Tigers ‘Young Guns’ head south to Eastbourne for one of the two British Under 21 Semi Finals (7.30pm start). New number one Josh Bailey is joined by his captain Jordan Jenkins, Ryan Kinsley, Drew Kemp and Matt Marson (who replaces Sam Bebee in the line up) as the Fen Tigers hope to go nap hand on Saturday! Also in the field are two Fen Tigers from 2017 Connor Mountain and Luke Ruddick.

On Sunday afternoon at Mildenhall Stadium (3pm start) the Isle of Wight are the visitors as the Fen Tigers look to get their 2018 National Trophy defence underway with a victory. The visitors boast four ex Fen Tigers in their septet, Ben Hopwood, Scott Campos, Chris Widman and Danno Verge as well as new number one and West Row track specialist Ben Morley who has been used as a guest on a number of occasions by the FenTigers.

Promoter Kevin Jolly is looking forward to the season finally getting underway, he said “After an awful Easter weather wise which saw speedway all but washed out across the country, I cannot wait to get going this weekend. To have five riders representing Mildenhall on Saturday says something very positive about the club and we hopefully will also have four riders at Ipswich in May in the British U19 Final! These youngsters are so hungry to learn and improve and whatever happens at Eastbourne this will be another great experience for them.

On Sunday we really want to hit the ground running against the ‘Islanders’ and get our defence of the National Trophy off to a good start. I feel we have a team this year that should not fear anyone home or away but that does not mean we will take our visitors lightly. With four riders who have represented Mildenhall in the past plus Ben Morley they will provide a stern test but one I am confident we will overcome. The atmosphere around the club is so positive right know and we need to continue the momentum into the season!”

After a highly successful weekend with Press and Practise and a Practise Day, Easter Monday (2nd April, 3pm start) will see the opening of the 2018 season at West Row with the third running of the Fen Fours.

With an exciting field featuring the current 2018 team, popular ex-riders and track specialists this year’s Fen Fours promises to be the most pulsating yet. Never a promotion to stand still the club have also put together a new format across the seventeen heats that should provide even more exciting and closer racing than in previous years. This season’s event sees riders graded into four groups with the riders in group 1&2 racing each other throughout the afternoon, as will the riders in groups 3&4.

Kevin Jolly is very much looking forward to getting the season under way, he said “The Fen Fours has proved a popular opener for us and I think this year could be the best yet! We have four well balanced teams, a new format which will improve the spectacle I feel and plenty of riders who know the fastest way around our track. I would like to thank the four sponsors who have continued their association with this meeting, Manchetts, Browns Builders, Derek Palmer & Sons and Assured Group, their continued backing is greatly appreciated by the club.

As a club we have had our best winter yet, the club is now set up just how I want it to be and everything is extremely positive and optimistic. I must thank James (Easter) for all his advice and support and also Phil (Kirk) and Lee (Chipchase) for all their hard work. We have a team of young riders who are so hungry and want to progress through the sport and to hear them talking about nutrition and fitness and sharing their experiences is so refreshing and shows a modern day professionalism that is sure to help them achieve their ambitions. I truly am excited by the possibilities this year as there is so much potential in this septet and cannot wait for the season to start. I think we will be a match for anyone home or away and with our excellent loyal support it could be a very special year for Mildenhall speedway’.